Figuratively Speaking

Using Classic Literature to Teach 40 Literary Terms

This resource book draws on classic literature to illustrate the use of 40 basic literary terms. Divided into sections on figurative language, poetic language, and literary techniques, the book covers hyperbole, metaphor, irony, imagery, dialect, plot, alliteration, onomatopoeia, allusion, conflict, and lots more! The first page of each lesson includes a definition of the term and one or more samples from grade-appropriate classic literature. The next two pages challenge students to identify and understand the term and to use it on their own.

Figuratively Speaking takes the hit-and miss-out of teaching students literary terms and providing technique instruction . This comprehensive resource book draws on classic literature to illustrate the use and understanding of basic literary terms using three general categories:

Figurative Language

• denotation and connotation
• hyperbole
• idiom
• imagery
• metaphor and simile
• oxymoron and paradox
• personification
• symbol

Poetic Language

• alliteration
• assonance and consonance
• form
• onomatopoeia
• parallelism
• repetition and refrain
• rhyme
• rhythm
• run-on and end-stopped lines
• stanza

Literary Technique

• allusion
• characters and characterization
• conflict
• dialect
• dialogue
• flashback
• foreshadowing
• genre
• irony
• local color
• mood and tone
• moral and theme>
• narrator/point of view
• plot
• poetic license
• pun
• satire and parody and farce

Each lesson (centered around one literary term) included a definition of the term and one of more samples from grade-appropriate classic literature, followed by activities that challenge students to identify and understand the term and use it on their own.